Pastor’s Promise

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 (Image: Unsplash)

Dear GOD,

After reading Ezekiel 22, I am more concerned than ever about the pastors I see on television and the internet.

I’m concerned because I have been hearing a lot of disturbing reports about pastors - well-known preachers - leading their congregations to Hell with what they say and the life they live.

You know what I mean by this, but for the benefit of those reading this entry, I will explain.

In Ezekiel 22, you gave an unmistakable rebuke to the church of Jerusalem, condemning them for the very things I see preachers doing today:

1. Preaching their interpretation of your word and changing what it actually says

2. Fearmongering their people into giving to the church, when the money lines the pastor’s own pockets

3. Calling your word a LIE while failing to shame outright things you called an abomination

4. Disrespecting your Sabbaths

5. Taking cash for greedy gain and stealing from people with low incomes and those in need.

6. Excusing the acts of the ungodly in exchange for power

7. Conforming to the world and choosing its laws instead of your word, etc.

You told us in Luke 9:3 -

3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Yet, I’ve been watching news reports about pastors who receive million-dollar salaries from churches with thousands of congregants, only to spend millions more on a lifestyle that does not edify YOU.

Pastors who have expensive planes, cars, clothes, houses, ask for thousands in tithes and offerings, and still can’t afford to pay your people, hungry for your word, ANY ATTENTION.

Instead, they sell them false hopes, manufactured messages, and propagandized trinkets meant to distract your people from saving their souls and redirect them to worshiping their pastor.

They fearmonger your sheep into thinking that the tradition of going to church on Sunday is holy, showmanship is sacred, and the name of their pastor is reverend.

They are taught to shake hands with all manner of evil, lasciviousness, and cultist mindsets, and swear allegiance to a sinner who refuses to repent of his own sins, but daily takes on demons he lacks the understanding to rebuke.

I know you won't stand for this anymore.

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” - 1 Peter 4:11 (Image: Unsplash)

You said in Ezekiel 22:15:

15 And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.

You also said in verse 22:

22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the Lord have poured out my fury upon you.

You said you would destroy the evil from this earth, and that those who have led your people away from salvation through lies, deceit, greed, and selfishness have their place in the lake of fire. You said, to paraphrase Psalm 11:6, fire and brimstone will be the portion of their cup.

Before the person reading believes that I am coming to condemn pastors, may I be clear? Thank you, Jesus…

I, too, serve in the calling of a pastor. I know what I promised you the day that I was commissioned to serve - ‘That I would speak a word to your people in season and out of season. That I would not shy away from telling the truth, and that I would speak your word and only that all the days of my life.’

I took the words of 1 Timothy 3:5 seriously, which says -

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Lord, long before we step into the pulpit, our house MUST be in order. And I don’t mean our physical residence. I mean our spiritual house, OUR SOUL, must be right with YOU! And you said that we are ‘known by our fruit’. People are watching us. They may not immediately act on what they see, but you are watching what we do with your people and your word.

Give me a heart like yours, God. A heart that sees past my wants and looks with diligence to the work ahead of me. If I forget you in my walk, please convict me. Charge my actions to my head and not my heart, but do not let me go astray as so many have—place in me a spirit of accountability and constant awareness of your law, but also your forgiveness.

And implant the words of Hebrews 12:1-2 -

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I pray that this prayer doesn't fall on deaf ears, but accomplishes that which it was supposed to do.

Thank you Jesus.

Sincerely,

A Young Pastor